If you've had your doubts about the efficacy of diplomacy as currently practiced by first world countries, I have found an article you may enjoy. Writing in Foreign Affairs, Mark Leonard makes an argument that China has decided the world going forward will be one of discord and more than a little chaos.
He argues China believes third world countries will be seeking their own national interests and will not fit meekly into the "existing rules-based international order" beloved by western diplomats. For instance, concerning war in Ukraine:
In Washington, the dominant view is that Russia’s actions are a challenge to the rules-based order, which must be strengthened in response. In Beijing, the dominant opinion is that the conflict shows the world is entering a period of disorder, which countries will need to take steps to withstand.
The Chinese perspective is shared by many countries, especially in the global South, where Western claims to be upholding a rules-based order lack credibility. It is not simply that many governments had no say in creating these rules and therefore see them as illegitimate. The problem is deeper: these countries also believe that the West has applied its norms selectively.
Of course this could be an example of making lemonade when what you have is a lemon. China seemingly has few allies and, in that situation, a vision of the future being a bunch of nations all selfishly pursuing their own interests regardless of rules and allies might be very attractive.
